I don't usually read short stories. I find them difficult for many reasons. For one, they can be so vague. For another, you usually have to think SO much harder - which gets to be a lot when there are 10 or so in a row in a book. And lastly, related to the previous, I feel like for each story, I need a break, time to absorb and resolve, before reading the next...which takes quite some time and is not always possible when a book is from the library. Perhaps all my forays into short stories should be purchased? In any case, this isn't a genre I'm used to reading or rating, so take this all with a grain of salt. But, this set of stories was really moving. My favorite part, in each of them, was the development and descriptions of the relationships. Very real, in an aloof sort of way. All just...people. Of the connecting features in the stories, I thought the continuation of certain characters, and one Tyche in particular, was a nice touch. Nothing special, but something extra. As for the keys...I just still can't decide. I love keys. The idea of them as the touching stone for these pieces is what appealed to me to begin with. Well, that and the fact that the title "what is not yours is not yours" is in my top 5 favorite book titles ever. But I go back and forth. In some cases, I loved their role (books and roses, drownings, freddy barrandov checks...in), but in a few of the others (presence, in particular) I thought they may have been forced. The few in which the key was more metaphorical, those I enjoyed as well. As far as individual stories go, I loved books and roses, "sorry" doesn't sweeten her tea, a brief history of the homely wench society. And the title of the last story, if a book is locked there's probably a good reason for that don't you think, but am not sure the story lived up to the title. But I liked those three in particular because there was a little extra spark they had, a bit of verve perhaps, that just lit them up for me. "Sorry" was my #1 - it spoke to me. I can't put my finger on why. All in all though, the writing was gorgeous. Deep and picturesque. There are some stories I'd like to read again, like I said short stories make you think more, and I am sure I've not thought of something. Perhaps I'll buy it, so I can read it again at pace slower than the library-dictated option. An impressive collection of mystical life snapshots.